Preferred Age of BP for Purchased

[Ghost68]

When you buy a BP, do you rather get a young baby that hasn't been handle much for cheaper, or an older sub-adult that is more tamed but alittle more expensive??

[Ghost68]

I rather the connection of raising a young ball python. I understand they may not be capable of making a connection but I feel like they are less likely to be aggressive to me or those who raised them...

[bcr229]

I prefer to buy hatchlings, or at least breeder-direct, to mitigate the risk of getting an animal that has been exposed to a collection-destroying disease.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I prefer hatchlings but it also can depend on the project.

[Ghost68]

I can relate to that. I normally get hatchlings but I am looking for breeder size Mojave and lesser platinum for my blue eyed lucy project

[Chkadii]

Hmm, it seems like I'm the odd one out here but I like "well-started" or sub-adult BPs, around 500-1000g. At that point they have their "personalities," it's easy to set them up by replicating what the breeder was using (my collection is small enough that I don't bred my own rats, so live vs. F/T doesn't make a difference to me and I already have an ASF eater), and I have a much better feel for how they will look fully grown. It doesn't matter for all genes, but I'm super picky about the genes I want to be clean looking: pastel, enchi, hypo, etc. When they're well-started I can see about how much they will darken/dirty up. Aside from that, it kind of depends on the project/timeline. I buy hatchlings - 350g for long-term projects, whereas I might buy an adult male if I have a "spare" female for the upcoming season that I'd like to take in a different direction. With plenty of time to quarantine, of course!

[Mr. Misha]

I prefer hatchlings so I can raise them and watch them grow. To me they're pets, not projects.

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[Aerithya]

I prefer hatchlings so I can raise them and watch them grow. To me they're pets, not projects.

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^ I relate.

[Ax01]

I prefer hatchlings so I can raise them and watch them grow. To me they're pets, not projects.

^ I relate.

i agree. my snakes are all pets first. they all have names, but i plan to breed some here and there.

i like the hatchlings, even if some of them might be feisty. they're so cute! i love to watch them grow. the biggest i purchased so far was Dillamond who came to me around 300grams.

[AbsoluteApril]

I chose young not because they are cheaper but because I love to raise the babies and see them mature and change (color-wise) in my care.